Roy D. Prather, III
Beveridge & Diamond PC
Recognized for
Environmental Litigation
The Elite Counsel Perspective
From citizen suits and toxic tort claims to greenwashing class actions, Roy’s national environmental litigation practice is distinguished by exceptional depth and judgment.
From citizen suits and toxic tort claims to greenwashing class actions, Roy’s national environmental litigation practice is distinguished by exceptional depth and judgment.
Overview
Roy maintains a national practice centered on complex environmental litigation. He represents businesses and public sector entities across a range of industries in federal and state courts, defending citizen suits and class actions involving toxic tort and product liability claims under federal environmental laws and state analogues. His work includes matters involving the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. He also represents clients in class actions and other consumer protection litigation concerning green marketing and allegations of greenwashing.
Alongside his litigation practice, Roy advises clients on environmental regulatory compliance and helps them navigate administrative proceedings under various environmental laws. His counseling includes assessing ways to mitigate the risks of enforcement actions and litigation. He works with clients on sensitive, multi-stakeholder interactions concerning environmental justice, including efforts to address community concerns. Roy also represents clients in indemnity and other commercial contract disputes connected to construction and contaminated-site cleanup under the federal Superfund law, CERCLA. He serves on his firm’s Management Committee.
Roy’s community involvement includes service on the National Aquarium’s Board of Directors, which he joined in 2022. As a member of its Conservation Education Advisory Group, he helps develop programming on urban and ocean conservation for students in Baltimore City and surrounding areas. He is also a founding member and Advisory Board member of the Black BigLaw Pipeline, Inc., a nonprofit formed by senior Black attorneys to promote positive outcomes for Black attorneys in large law firms. He mentors young people through Big Brothers Big Sisters and Bridges Baltimore.
Roy’s pro bono work has included helping indigent and homeless clients resolve contract disputes and obtain public benefits, for which he was recognized on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas’ Pro Bono Honor Roll. He received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Judges of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for his service on the Prisoner Pro Se Civil Rights Panel, through which he represented a prisoner in a civil rights case. He has also provided pro bono representation in unfair wage practice, immigration and landlord-tenant matters.
Education
- University of Pennsylvania (B.A., 2006)
- International Relations
- Georgetown University (J.D., 2009)
Admissions
Bar Admissions
- Maryland
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- District of Columbia
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court - Maryland
- U.S. District Court - New Jersey
- U.S. District Court – Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. Court of Appeals - First Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals - Third Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals – Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals – Seventh Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court – District of Columbia
Honors & Recognition
- The Best Lawyers in America©, a Best Lawyers® publication, recognition in Environmental Litigation (2027)
- Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders in Environmental Law (2026)
- Bloomberg Law, “They’ve Got Next: The 40 Under 40,” for Environmental Law, 2024
- 2022-2023 "Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch," a Best Lawyers® publication, for Environmental Litigation
- 2023 "Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch," a Best Lawyers® publication, for Environmental Law and Commercial Litigation
- Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, Maryland Rising Star (2023)
- Rising Star, Minority Corporate Counsel Association (2021)
- Institute for Energy Law, Young Energy Professionals Leadership Class (2019-2020)
- 2020 National Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Chairman’s Award
Professional Associations
- Defense Research Institute (DRI), Vice Chair of Toxic Tort and Environmental Law Committee
- Institute for Energy Law, Advisory Board
- International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), Member
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Pathfinder
- American Bar Association, Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources
- American Bar Association, Co-Chair of Environmental Subsection of Real Estate, Condemnation, and Trust Litigation Committee
- National Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
- National Bar Association, Environmental, Energy & Public Utilities Law Section